How To Avoid Making A Fool Of Yourself When Working With A Personal Trainer (Installment One)

History

I’m 57 years old and never had I felt that I needed a Personal Trainer. I was a little Tom Boy growing up; climbed trees, beat the boys at all things physical (and cognitive of course!) and I kept that physical fitness going into adulthood by dancing, yoga-ing, etc. I was always pretty content with my physicality, my muscles were lean and tight. Until now. Despite doing all the same exercises and being on a Paleo Diet my muscles are gone! So sad.

I watched this creature at the gym from afar for many months; Watched him walk in, not too cocky but confident and light the whole room up, Watched him work out with intensity, get sweaty and still walk out looking like Adonis! I noticed and liked that he was very neat and clean, had a build like a gymnast, that he did not look too often or lovingly at himself in the mirror (You know those body builders that are in love with themselves?! No thank you.), that he did not make too much chit chat with people and he had no tattoos! At least not any visible to the public. Ink-heads please excuse my insult. It is just my preference. So I drooled over him while I worked on the Elliptical Machine hoping he was at least 30 so that my little crush on him would not seem so illicit! Alas these hopes have been dashed.

Finally after 3 months I approached him to ask if he was a trainer. Yes, yes he was of course. Could he train me here? Yes, yes. So we set up some dates. To date I’ve had 4 sessions with him. Already I’m feeling stronger and tighter and my muscles are becoming more defined. And if you must know, which you must, my boobs and butt are perkier and my ‘tight’ jeans are no longer such. Also my spirit has been more steadily happy and I’m getting asked out a lot more! (No. No on the last one.)

What follows is my hard earned advice to you should you choose to train with a professional.

Do Not Do These Things When Working With A Trainer

Drink Cosmos the night before your workout unless you would like to pass out during the workout.

Work out on an empty stomach (or with just a banana in it!) unless you enjoy vomiting when you’re done.

Wear mascara that is not water proof other wise you will have darker eye circles when you are dripping sweat than you already do.

Schedule clients or any important focus oriented activity directly after your workout. You never know how your body will respond to the particular drill he/she puts your through. 2/3 of the way through the sessions my brain does not function well!

Go off in your head, in a little fantasy land while he/she is demonstrating and/or explaining how to do the next exercise lest you appear ditzy when you get on the machine and have no idea what to do.

Please Do These Things When Working With A Trainer

According to Moscatelli you should eat something with low glycemic carbs and a quality protein 60-90 minutes prior to lifting. He suggests eggs and oatmeal for example. Here are some other meal suggestions.

Anthony also recommends consuming quality whole protein or a protein drink at completion of the workout. Here’s my go to:

Find a trainer that is certified and that walks his talk. I’ve see so many trainers who are not fit! What’s with that? And also stay away from those who have poor form. In this case injury will likely ensue. I am trained in both ballet and yoga so am intimately familiar with body mechanics/ergonomics and get crazy when I see people moving the wrong way!

Hydrate before, during and after your workout. You might consider hydrating with something stronger than water. I see people drinking Sports drinks like Gatorade and other neon colored liquids. Yuk! As I said above I don’t do chemicals so I went on a search for other options. What I found was Chia Seeds (mix about a TBL SP in your water bottle) and Coconut Water (I mix it with spring water because it is too naturally sweet but you might like it straight). Each supplies hydration components like Calcium and Potassium, etc. I seem to feel more energized using these over regular water. Here are 10 more natural hydrating options you can try.

Prepare to be ravenous! Stock your pantry with healthy foods so that when you need to eat more than you ever have before you have plenty of options at your fingertips and will not be tempted to ingest Oreos and Doritos.

In Conclusion

Well, I think that’s all I’ve got for you so far. Once I make a fool of myself again on the gym floor, in front of my very own Michelangelo’s David, I will be back to you with more lessons so you can benefit from my mistakes.

I’m not really ready to share my trainer with you but if you must steal him, you can find him on Instagram @moscyfit14, at moscy14@yahoo.com or 857.991.6965.

One more thing in case you don’t know me well. I am a picky PITA when it comes to most things and especially when hiring someone to do a job for me – any job- plumbing, auto mechanics, painting, digging a ditch, etc. So in addition to being superb at what they’re being hired to do, they must also demonstrate these qualities: